German armed forces, Bundeswehr, initiate air delivery of aid in Gaza Strip - German military, Bundeswehr, initiates air drops of aid into Gaza
The German government has announced plans to initiate humanitarian airdrop missions using Bundeswehr aircraft from Jordan to Gaza, aiming to help deliver essential aid amidst the ongoing crisis in the region. This development comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, over 22 months after the start of the Gaza war.
Historically, humanitarian airdrops in Gaza have been conducted by other actors such as the US military and Jordan's air force. However, there is no record of the Bundeswehr conducting aid drops to the Gaza Strip prior to 2025.
In July 2025, the German government announced its intentions to start these missions as early as late July or early August. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that two German A400M transport planes were being deployed to Jordan to prepare for these humanitarian missions.
Soldiers from the army are already operating the aid supply conveyor belt at Al Asrak Airport, and the federal government is working to rebuild the established humanitarian land route for aid supplies. However, the Bundeswehr is not currently involved in airdropping aid supplies over the Gaza Strip, and only via the land route can aid supplies reach people in sufficient quantities.
The current situation in Gaza is described as "absolutely dramatic" by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. Many people in Gaza, including children, are struggling for bare survival, as stated by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). Israel is urged to ensure comprehensive humanitarian supply to the people in Gaza who have been suffering for months.
This German effort aligns with wider international calls to increase humanitarian assistance but also occurs amid critical debate on the effectiveness and humanitarian impact of such airdrops versus ground convoys. Some argue that ground convoys are more effective in delivering aid due to their ability to carry larger quantities and navigate more easily to specific locations.
In summary, while the Bundeswehr had not previously sent aid drops to Gaza, plans are now in place for humanitarian airdrop missions from Jordan to Gaza using two A400M aircraft. This initiative is part of a broader international effort to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, although the debate on the effectiveness and impact of airdrops versus ground convoys continues.
| Period | Bundeswehr Aid Drops in Gaza | |-------------------|-------------------------------| | Prior to 2025 | No record of Bundeswehr aid drops | | July 2025 onward | Planned start of Bundeswehr airdrop missions from Jordan to Gaza, involving two A400M aircraft[3][4] |
- "The Federal Army, with the assistance of Friedrich Merz and the Federal Ministry of Defence, will commence air drops of aid over the Gaza Strip, utilizing Airbus A400M planes stationed in Jordan, as part of the broader international effort to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region."
- "Despite previous lack of involvement in Gaza, the decision to initiate humanitarian airdrops comes amidst critical debates on the effectiveness and impact of such operations versus ground convoys, which some argue are more efficient in delivering aid due to their ability to carry larger quantities and navigate more easily to specific locations."
